Medicinal plant cultivation model: A green economy with great potential.

Businesses that partner with each other to purchase products

On the red soil slopes of Hanh Tri 2 village (Ninh Son commune), rows of Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) stretch out, lush and green. Previously, this area mainly grew cassava and sugarcane, yielding low economic returns and often facing the problem of "good harvest, low prices; high prices, poor harvest." In recent years, people have switched to growing Centella asiatica, resulting in a significant increase in economic efficiency. Mr. Nguyen Van Luc (Hanh Tri 2 village) said: “My family has 1.5 hectares of land. Before, we grew corn and cassava, with unstable income. Since switching to growing Centella asiatica, our income has increased many times over. Centella asiatica plants can be harvested for their roots and leaves after 2-3 years, selling year-round. Thanks to this, my family's economy has stabilized, and we've even accumulated capital to invest in expanding our cultivated area.”

Employees of Ba Ninh Co., Ltd. (Hoa Thang ward) are planting Xao Tam Phan seedlings in pots.

The success of the Centella asiatica cultivation model in Ninh Son commune is due to the linkage between businesses and farmers. Farmers' products are guaranteed by Vietnam Link Herbal Joint Stock Company (Ninh Son commune). Mr. Nguyen Duc Khanh - Business Director of Vietnam Link Herbal Joint Stock Company said: “We accompany farmers in developing the Centella asiatica raw material area in an organic direction, ensuring a stable supply and consistent quality. The production linkage helps farmers stabilize output, increase product value, and form a closed production chain. In addition to guaranteeing product purchase from farmers, the company is currently cultivating more than 200 hectares of Centella asiatica, and plans to expand the area to 500 hectares. The company produces a variety of Centella asiatica products to meet consumer tastes, such as: tea bags, liquid extract, immune-boosting drinks, Centella asiatica pillows, etc., creating added value for the entire raw material area.”

Besides the Aralia plant, the Xao Tam Phan plant has also been thriving in recent years. Mr. Tran Ba Ninh - Director of Ba Ninh Co., Ltd. (Hoa Thang ward) shared: "Understanding the medicinal value and scarcity of Xao Tam Phan, for over 15 years, I have researched, invested in conservation areas, nurseries, and collaborated with local people to develop over 100 hectares of this valuable medicinal plant in the area." The Hon Heo area belongs to two residential groups, Tien Du 1 and Tien Du 2 (Hoa Thang ward). "In 2025, we have cultivated 200,000 seedlings and plan to continue collaborating with people in two villages to expand the raw material area for production, meeting consumer demand."

Mr. Tran Ba Ninh - Director of Ba Ninh Co., Ltd. (Hoa Thang Ward) caring for Xao Tam Phan seedlings.

Mr. Tran Ba Ninh - Director of Ba Ninh Co., Ltd. (Hoa Thang ward) is taking care of Xao Tam Phan seedlings.

Due to its slow growth and the need for many years to accumulate active ingredients, especially saponins, the yield of Xao Tam Phan (a type of medicinal plant) only reaches 1-3 tons per year. However, its economic value is very high. Therefore, the economic efficiency of this medicinal plant far surpasses many traditional crops, providing people with a stable source of income.

Sustainable agricultural development direction

According to traditional medicine, the plant known as "đinh lăng" (Polyscias fruticosa) nourishes the blood and strengthens the immune system; "xáo tam phân" (a type of medicinal herb) supports the liver and gallbladder and cools the body. If cultivated and processed correctly, these medicinal herbs could replace imported sources and establish a local brand.

The production line for Centella asiatica juice at Vietnam Link Herbal Joint Stock Company (Ninh Son commune).

Dr. Phan Cong Kien, Deputy Director of the Nha Ho Institute of Cotton Research and Agricultural Development ( Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ), stated: “Khanh Hoa's climate and soil conditions are very suitable for growing many valuable medicinal plants, including the Centella asiatica and Xao Tam Phan. In particular, the linkage between businesses and farmers in exploiting the value of these valuable medicinal plants will help localities form agricultural production value chains that bring high economic efficiency. This is a direction that helps farmers increase their income, stabilize their lives, and even achieve sustainable wealth.”

With the right development orientation, strengthening the linkage between farmers and businesses in developing specialized medicinal plant cultivation areas not only helps people in many localities have stable incomes, businesses have high-quality raw materials for production, and society has access to safe products, but more importantly, it contributes to achieving the province's sustainable agricultural development goals.

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